THE BILL that was passed by the U.S. Senate, S. 744, commonly known as comprehensive immigration reform, is in some strange way a typical piece of legislation.

It has some good and some bad. Some love it, some hate it, and nobody thinks it is perfect, but it is backed by a huge number of people. In spite of the reluctant support by many, it is not supported by the leadership in the House of Representatives.

While senators lick their wounds and pat themselves on the back, and the country cheers and sheds tears, the House seems to be simply refusing to play. We hear from the House leadership that the Senate bill will not be put to a vote, the House will create its own bill, and nothing will be introduced for a vote that does not have 100 percent support from the Republican members.

This is not only completely irresponsible, but it is certain to kill any chance of having much needed reform with a path to citizenship for 11 million new Americans and their families.

While we are sorry for the tragedy of 11 million people who will be the direct losers, in fact, we will all lose. Let's take a look at what inaction means for the entire 314 million of us.

According to the congressional budget office and the staff of the Joint Committee on Taxation, S. 744 would generate changes in direct spending and revenues that would decrease federal budget deficits by $197 billion over the 2014—23 period. When you subtract the estimated cost of implementing the bill, the net savings would be $175 billion over that period

Immigration reform will grow the economy, cut the deficit and create jobs. It will create $1.4 trillion growth in the real gross domestic product over the next 20 years. It will increase federal revenues by $459 billion over the 2014—23 period. That increase would stem largely from additional collections of income and payroll taxes, reflecting both an increase in the size of the U.S. labor force and changes in the legal status of some current workers.

Foreign students who study in the U.S. will have an easier path to stay and work. In 2010, 70 percent of foreign graduate students were studying engineering, math, science and technology, and the current system makes it almost impossible to stay in the U.S. By staying in the U.S., they will create jobs, start business, create a demand for goods and services, which will create jobs and encourage higher productivity and more foreign investment in the U.S.

Immigrant agricultural workers will be able to harvest crops while being able to have their immediate families with them, making them more productive and more eager to work in the U.S.. Many immigrant families that have been torn apart by aggressive deportation policies will reunite.

So why is the House leadership opposed to it? That is the question you should ask them. We urge you to call or write to your representatives and to the speaker of the house and demand that they to act in the best interest of the country rather than their perceived political interest. Put S.744 to a vote in the House.

There were months of work done by leaders in both parties, many compromises were reached, border security will be ridiculously strong, employers will have to use an electronic verification system while hiring, millions will have a path to citizenship, the economy will improve and families will be reunited.

Speaker John Boehner should stop dragging his feet. His politically motivated intransigence is hurting not just immigrant families, but every American.

Tom Wilson of Fairfax is the executive director of the Canal Alliance in San Rafael.